Specifications
Engine-421 cubic inches (6.9 Liters), 353 hp@5000rpm, 455 lb-ft torque@3400rpm
Tranmission-T10 4 speed manual
Options-Too many to list-see window sticker image
History
This Grand Prix is interesting in that it has nearly every factory option available for 1963. It was built the end of February 1963 at the Doraville (Atlanta), GA assembly plant and spent its entire life in the area dutifully serving two families before being sidelined and for sale. A good car-buddy in Marietta checked it out and later, after further inspection and a change of oil we drove the GP uneventfully to Nashville for some TLC. Though never undercoated, the 128K-mile frame and floor-pan was virtually rust-free metal. The glass, chrome and stainless parts were excellent. The body exterior had an assortment of enemy door dings that unprotected ’63 GP’s are prone to receive from careless parking lot companions. At some point the car had gotten a dark blue repaint following rear quarter damage but the car was solid, complete and having made it this far unmolested, appeared worthy of restoration.
The original plan was to do a cosmetic detailing and upgrade things needing attention while driving it. The fresh Atlanta crankcase oil was drained hot in Nashville and it was really thick and dirty. The rocker arm covers that were removed for inspection and new gaskets revealed an unpleasant sight that prompted removal of the intake manifold and valley cover for an even further look. It was a classic case from the old oil filter commercial of “pay me now or pay me later” because the inside was a mess. This project was getting rapidly out of focus but the GP was too unique and complete not to save and fortunately I belong to one of the best car club that I have ever known…The Pontiacs of Tennessee. With member support, we pulled the hood, front bumper, grille assembly and radiator…then the complete engine and transmission. The interior was removed except for dashboard, steering column and headliner that got detailed later. We were going for a complete body shape-up and new Nocturne Blue paint job.
One of our club members lives in Cincinnati, OH and had friends at Sieve Pontiac in the body shop. Sieve is the oldest existing Pontiac dealer in the country having become an Oakland dealer in 1923 and then getting the new Pontiac franchise in 1926. They did a great job and when the body got back to Nashville, the engine and transmission was waiting along with new dark blue carpet and package shelf. The Type-10 Roto-Hydramatic had been overhauled at some point and shifted well driving from Atlanta so the fluid was changed and it was reattached to the finished engine.
When the engine was removed, the fitted block and detached cylinder heads were sent locally for inspection. The heads cleaned up fine but the verdict was .040 overbore on the block cylinders and 10/10 on the crankshaft journals…not unexpected considering our earlier discoveries. New flattop pistons were fitted along with a ‘068(S) Pontiac-grind camshaft that has a similar profile to the original ‘043(L) Pontiac 421HO cam. A 60# Ram Air IV oil pump was installed for insurance and a Pertronix in-cap distributor module to eliminate ignition points like the ’63 factory transistorized ignition. We were pushing hard to make the SPRING FLING car show that our club sponsor Beaman Pontiac in Nashville has each year and as the baby-blue Pontiac engine with attached aluminum case transmission swung from the hoist, disbelievers were taking bets.
For those who kept the faith, after six months of determination and two days before show date, we took a deep breath and fired up the GP for the first time. Amid the engine roar from camshaft break-in rpm’s, smoke from burning paint and excited voices checking things out, the Doraville Grand Prix was reborn. Many hours of cooperative hard work and fun had saved another classic Pontiac beauty for everyone to enjoy. My thanks to everyone involved and especially the Pontiacs of Tennessee.
P.S. It doesn’t run too bad either!
Historical Footnote
To say that the Grand Prix has been a success story for Pontiac is an understatement. From 1962 through 2000 model year, 4,072,190 Grand Prix cars were built for an average of 104,415 per year. The top production year was 1977 with 288,430 made while the low year was 1987 with 16,542 produced.